Liverpool's January transfer plans: Bent, Cavani, Montolivo and more

The big spending by Liverpool last January could happen again this year as Suarez's ban, injuries and Andy Carroll continue to haunt Kenny Dalglish's big plans for the season. With the surprise exit of Fernando Torres in 2011, Dalglish went out and bought £35million Newcastle striker Carroll and the brilliant Luis Suarez, who now has a potential eight-match ban ahead of him. At time of writing the Anfield club have the worst conversion rate from attempts created in the entire league. With their top striker out, Carroll lacking form and a season-ending injury to star defensive midfielder Lucas Leiva, Kenny Dalglish may have to dip in to the club's pockets this transfer window if the Reds are to have a successful season. Here, talkSPORT takes a look at where Liverpool could be spending their money in January…

WHERE THEY NEED TO STRENGTHEN

STRIKERS: Luis Suarez's ban from the FA could severely dent Liverpool's Champions League qualification hopes. The Uruguayan has been the Reds main goal threat this season and is their top scorer with just five league goals at time of writing. No other Liverpool player has scored more than twice this season and with just 21 goals this whole term before the Newcastle match, a prolific striker is the most important thing on Dalglish's shopping list.

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER: An unfortunate injury to Lucas Leiva meant Liverpool had to recall Jonjo Shelvey from his loan spell with Blackpool, when regular fill-in Jay Spearing received a three-match ban. It's not a crucial buy, but if a good alternative to Lucas came up at a decent price, it would be well worth Dalglish strengthening in this position.

TRANSFER TARGETS:
It's been reported that Liverpool are planning to make a sensational swoop for Aston Villa striker Darren Bent. The England forward moved to Villa a year ago in a deal worth £24million, but now rumours the former Sunderland player is unhappy under new manager Alex Mcleish, have alerted Liverpool to a possible deal this month.

Lucas' replacement could be Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo. The deep-lying playmaker has been impressive in Serie A this season, proving himself composed on the ball, sound with his distribution and a tireless ball winner. Playing alongside Daniel De Rossi in the Italian national side, Montolivo could play alongside Lucas when he returns from injury.

Other transfer targets that have been spoken about include Newcastle's Cheik Tiote, Swansea's Joe Allen, FC Twente's dynamic midfielder Leroy Fer and Porto's Fernando, but the canny Kenny Dalglish refuses to give anything away as he plots his next moves in the market.

DREAM SIGNING:
Napoli hit man Edinson Cavani showed his talent when he destroyed Manchester City in the Champions League this year and would arguably make one of the most mouth-watering strike partnerships in Premier League history if he linked up with Uruguayan team-mate Luis Suarez. Cavani is likely to have a price tag over £50million as City manager Roberto Mancini has already expressed his interest in the athletic forward, who has scored nine goals in Serie A this season. Liverpool have spent big recently, but we doubt FSG have the money to tempt Napoli.

BUDGET: Liverpool might not be selling any big names to fund moves in January, but the club's owner John W Henry has supported Kenny Dalglish with big-money signings in the last two transfer windows and with the fans desperate for Champions League football next year, don't rule out the Americans backing their Scottish manager's judgement with money.